Two AL leaders arrested over killing during uprising

Two leaders of the Awami League (AL) have been arrested in connection with the murder of Mahadi Hasan Pantha during the anti-discrimination student movement, reports UNB.

Ahad Ali (55), joint general secretary of the Freedom Fighters' League, Dhaka Metropolitan South, and Md. Iqbal Hossain (57), a local leader of the Kadamtali thana unit of AL, were picked up a police raid in the early hours of Saturday,

Muhammad Talebur Rahman, PPM, Deputy Police Commissioner confirmed it at a press briefing.

The arrests were made around 3:00 am on Saturday, following an operation by Kadamtali Thana Police in the the capital's Kadamtali area.

According to Kadamtali thana sources, Mahadi Hasan Pantha had been participating in a peaceful demonstration in the Kadamtali area at around 4:00 pm on July 19. The demonstration, organised by students and citizens opposing discrimination, was taking place in front of the Rayebag Shop in the area. During the protest, members of various AL-associated organisations indiscriminately opened fire on the demonstrators. Mahadi Hasan Pantha was shot in the face and died at the scene.

A murder case was filed with Kadamtali thana on November 8, 2024, following a complaint from the victim's father, Md. Jahangir Hossain. The arrested individuals, Ahad Ali and Iqbal Hossain, are identified as suspects based on the ongoing investigation.